Black History: Selected Sources

Black history runs through the Newberry’s collections—from abolitionist print culture and the work of Black writers to Chicago’s Great Migration era and Black performance and media. This gallery brings together a small set of books, images, and ephemera that capture everyday life, community, and the fight for freedom and dignity.

Curated by:Newberry curators

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The Messenger: World's Greatest Negro Monthly

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Colored people's blue-book and business directory of Chicago, Ill

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The new anvil, Jack Conroy papers, 1939-1940

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Savoy ballroom postcard production file, Curt Teich Co. records, 1926

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Stop! Don't Shop Downtown: Let's Put Our Dollar to Work for Integration

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Era Bell Thompson and Stanley Pargellis at the Newberry Library, mid-20th century

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Helen Balfour Morrison photographs of Kentucky African Americans, 1935-1946

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Tell'em we're risin

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Negro in the City lantern slides, circa 1922

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Good things to eat, as suggested by Rufus : a collection of practical recipes for preparing meats, game, fowl, fish, puddings, pastries, etc.

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Langston Hughes letter (with typewritten poems), John Alden Carpenter papers, 1926

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Hiram Scofield diaries, 1863-1866

Personal History of Stephen A. Griffin also history of Olivet Bapt. Church, Ernest A. Griffin family papers, 1862-2007

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The slave's friend, 1836-1838

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Pullman employee records - Chicago district Pullman Porters, 1890-1969

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Prescott family papers, 1900s-2010s

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They Seek a City outline, Jack Conroy papers, 1945

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Hurston, Zora Neale, Harry Hansen papers, 1937

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Pullman porters - selected advertisements and documents, Pullman Company records, late-19th to mid-20th century

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Malcolm Little [Malcolm X] card, Pullman employee records, 1941

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The Negro in Chicago; a study of race relations and a race riot

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African American shortwave radio operator cards, 1979-1981

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E. Winston and Ina D. Williams NAACP papers, 1940s-1986

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Savoy Ballroom in new South Center Development, 47th Street and South Parkway, for the Negro community, 1928

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Edith Shaw family and Provident Hospital photo album, 1923-1943

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Washington Hall to Jemima Hall, Rodgers family papers, June 18, 1836

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Black passengers and workers, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company records, 1947-1948

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Poems on various subjects, religious and moral.